Slip and Fall Injuries: 5 Tips to Reach the Right Settlement

The business may have neglected to clear the ice in front of the store. The retail outlet may have failed to notify customers of a giant puddle of water that was not seen by anyone. A slip and fall injury certainly isn’t a walk in the park. It can cause lasting damages, and it can also cause a serious hit to your wallet – from missing work to paying for medical bills.

When you are the victim of a slip and fall injury, you inevitably hire an attorney, take the case to court, and try to receive compensation for your wounds. Broken back or broken leg, it doesn’t matter what the injury is as long as you are provided with fair and just remuneration. It is true that most of these cases are handled in court. However, both complainants and defendants usually reach a settlement to avoid the hassle of the legal proceedings. How should you handle yourself in these types of deliberations?

Here are five tips to reach the right slip and fall injury settlement:

1. Remain Calm During Settlement Talks

Let’s be honest: settlement discussions can get pretty heated between lawyers and clients. Foul language is uttered, sweat is dropping from our brows, and we may even clench our fists.

Sometimes it’s best to take a five-minute break before things get out of hand.

In the end, it is best to remain calm during the entire time. Should you start shouting, gesticulating in a violent manner, and cuss out the person you’re suing, you may actually hurt your own settlement.

Be mature, be an adult, and be calm!

2. What Do You Think is Fair?

Once the defendant outlines a settlement proposal and a list of terms, it is up to you and your legal team to determine if it is fair.

Indeed, your slip and fall injury will provide his analysis and suggestions, but it is inevitably up to you to agree to the offer or reject the settlement. Though it is always prudent to settle things out of court or end the case prematurely, if you don’t think it’s fair, then move forward.

This is why it is essential to determine what you want before the proceedings even begin. If you’re unsure what you think you’re entitled to, then you may never approve of any settlement.

3. Consider the Other Side’s Points

Sometimes, to succeed in life, there needs to be a certain amount of compromise, a little bit of give and take. This means that you should certainly consider the other side’s points of view. To achieve this objective, you need to be a good listener.

Should you employ this rudimentary method, then you could very well come to a reasonable conclusion.

4. A Written Timeline is a Good Aide

A lot has happened since you first filed your claim nine months ago. Since multiple events have unfolded, your memory may be a bit hazy, which can impact your settlement discussions.

To have the utmost clarity, it would be wise to have a written timeline to serve as a terrific aide. The timeline can proffer a detailed list of what occurred, when it occurred, and how it occurred.

5. Weigh Pros & Cons of Settlement vs. Trial

Finally, you need to perform a cost-benefit analysis of starting and continuing trial and simply coming to a worthwhile settlement.

A trial can cost a lot of money, time, energy, and resources. Everything from lawyers to missing work, a trial takes a lot out of you. On the other hand, you’re not getting anywhere with a settlement – your demands are not being met.

Ultimately, you and your legal team must weigh the pros and cons of a settlement versus a trial.

A slip and fall injury is painful, not only to your body but to your wallet. You have missed a lot of time from work, whether to meet with doctors or to go through the justice system. Ditto for the other side. Because of this, both sides just want to come to a fair settlement.

If you’re considering a settlement, be sure to employ these tips and discuss with your slip and fall lawyer. He will outline the best course of action to take.

Disclaimer: Please be advised that Dr. Venessa does not actively practice medicine. While her writing is thoroughly researched, she strongly encourages readers to seek consultation with a professional doctor on the medical issues discussed here. Dr. Venessa's posts are meant to be informational, but they should not be constituted as valid medical advice from a healthcare professional.